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APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute

Psychopharmacology Education Planned for Nurses, by Nurses for More Than 20 Years

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute is an annual, nurse‑focused conference that translates cutting-edge psychopharmacology and neuroscience into clinical practice for psychiatric-mental health nurse prescribers. Attend annually in person or online and earn ANCC‑accredited pharmacology contact hours.


SAVE THE DATE FOR 2026!
June 4-7, 2026
Reston, Virginia or virtual

Hear from leading experts on the latest breakthroughs in psychiatric medications, treatment strategies, and person-centered clinical decision-making, including:

  • Wilson Compton, MD, MPE on the latest research in cannabis
  • Oliver Freudenreich, MD, FACLP on treatment as prevention and stage-based schizophrenia care
  • Jared Vega, JD, FNP, Psych NP on legal considerations/documentation
  • Kirby Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC on drug induced movement disorders

See everyone who is booked to speak at CPI


“CPI offers so much more than just contact hours. It offers camaraderie & up-to-date evidence-based knowledge presented with humor, professionalism, and compassion. If you do one thing for yourself this year, make it a point to sign up for CPI to learn more for your practice — to better yourself for you, for your patients, and for your colleagues!”
– Dorraine Baker Webb, PMHCNS, ANP BC


Invigorate your psychopharmacologic nursing practice across the lifespan.

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI) delivers psychopharmacology education to professionals looking to provide the best possible care to their patients. CPI prioritizes the integration of psychopharmacology and neuroscience into clinical practice. It offers the scientific base for treatment decisions and addresses the context of care within the nurse/consumer/family relationship.

Join other providers like you.

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute is appropriate for RN-PMH and advanced practice psychiatric nurses (PMH-NP & PMH-CNS) – especially those who administer and/or prescribe medications. Because CPI is always planned for nurses, by nurses, the program provides a depth and breadth of scientific information tailored to the challenges inherent in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. All other health care providers interested in psychopharmacology are welcome for advanced study, especially fellow nurses, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists.


Session recordings from the APNA 23rd Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute are now available!

Start Learning


The content of this NCPD activity pertains to pharmacology. Because states’ requirements may vary, contact your Board of Nursing for more information.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

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What is the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI) is the #1 source for psychopharmacology updates for PMHNPs, PMH CNSs, and PMHRNs. Planned by and for nurses who prescribe, administer, and/or manage psychiatric medications, it provides a deep dive into the latest psychopharmacology and neuroscience, breaking it down into practical knowledge you can use in your clinical nursing practice.

Who should attend the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

CPI is appropriate for those who prescribe or administer medications, including:

  • PMHNPs (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners)
  • PMHCNSs (Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists)
  • Psychiatric-mental health nurses who support medication management
  • Other health care providers interested in psychopharmacology, especially nurses, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists.

What’s the difference between the APNA Annual Conference and the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

The APNA Annual Conference, held each fall in a new destination, is the largest gathering of psychiatric-mental health nurses in the U.S. each year. It covers a wide range of psychiatric-mental health nursing topics, from clinical practice and education to leadership, policy, and research. The program is created through an open call for abstracts and peer review process. With hundreds of sessions and poster presentations to choose from, it offers nursing continuing professional development for every PMH nurse, no matter their licensure, level of experience, or work setting.

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute(CPI), held each spring in the DC area, focuses specifically on the science and application of psychopharmacology within a nursing context. It offers a curated program planned for nurses, by nurses that dives deep into evidence-based medication management and neuroscience. It is especially valuable for advanced practice nurses, such as PMHNPs, seeking to deepen their expertise and earn pharmacology contact hours, as well as other clinicians who prescribe.

Both conferences can be attended virtually or in person and registration includes access to on demand session recordings afterwards.